Maine 2024 Rankings

By Owen Carlson | Tuesday, August 1st, 2023

After the conclusion of the spring/summer grassroots season in July, we thought it was time to start putting out state by state rankings for the class of 2024, ultimately ending with New England as a whole. As always, these rankings are updated throughout the season as we get more eyes on players around the region. They also do not yet include players in the class who have just transferred in from other parts of the country. 

Here’s a first look at the top five players in the state of Maine’s class of 2024 rankings, all of which compete for Bridgton Academy of NEPSAC Class-AAA…

Coming in at the first spot on the list is Bridgton Academy 6’1” point guard Silvano Ismail. Throughout the 2022-23 season, he was arguably the most consistent scorer in Maine against even some of the top defenses in the state, as he averaged roughly 25 points for Cheverus High School competing in the MPA Class-AA North this past season. He has also been recognized for his relentless on-the-ball defense. He earned 2nd Team All-MPA Class-AA North honors for his performance during the 2021-22 season, as well as Hoops 8 All-Tournament Team recognition for his postseason performance, which included a game-winning buzzer-beater to defeat Portland and advance to the regional finals. He earned the same postseason honor this past season, as well as being named a Mr. Maine Basketball Finalist, and most notably earning the MPA Class-AA North Player of the Year title. He has also received numerous club recognitions for his performance with XL Portland. This summer, he made the decision to transfer to Bridgton Academy for his final high school season.

At the second spot in the rankings is Bridgton Academy 6’8” center Will Davis, a stretch-big with lots of effective post moves and high-efficiency off the pick-and-pop. He has also been recognized for his exceptional court vision. Additionally, he is a versatile defender who can also guard quicker ball-handlers. Davis was selected as a 2023 McDonald’s All-American Nominee this past season for his performance at Newton North High School. He was an integral part of the Tigers’ run to the MIAA State Semifinals as a 7-seed, which included defeating 1-seed Lawrence High School. He has also earned recognition for his performance with his club team Basketball 2 The Limit. 

At third on the list is Bridgton Academy 6’5” guard/wing Anthony Chinn. He is an elite shooter who also uses a quick crossover to get by defenders in isolation. He can finish at the rim with a soft touch using either hand. He creates high-percentage layup opportunities cutting through the open seams in a defense. He can also back down smaller defenders and score with drop-steps. Defensively, he uses his length and lateral quickness to guard effectively, especially on the wings. Chinn helped lead Pinkerton Academy to the NHIAA Division I Finals this past season. He also competes for the New England Storm club team. 

The fourth spot in the rank was earned by Bridgton Academy 6’8” wing/forward Kalvin Catchings. Despite his size, Catchings leaves quite an impression with his athleticism and bounce. Additionally, he gets to his spots, and can regularly knock down the catch-and-shoot from deep. He had a strong spring with big performances for the New England Storm. As a returner to Bridgton, he was a contributor to a successful season last year, as Bridgton finished third in the NEPSAC Class-AAA conference and advanced to the semifinals of the postseason tournament. 

Finishing the top five is another Bridgton Academy big in 7’0” center Mamadou Kane. Kane is more of a rim-running big. He has a thinner frame, but he still throws down dunks with power. His soft touch around the basket allows him to convert over defenders. He also uses his length, especially on the defensive end, with long arms to swat shots away from opposing players. He has made strides in his game and will be an intriguing player to track in his postgrad season. He also contributed to Bridgton’s successful season this past year.

Rounding out the remaining players ranked in the top 10 for Maine’s class of 2024, sixth through tenth in the rankings include two more Bridgton Academy players in 6’5” forward DJ Reed and 6’1” guard Peter Gellene, finally followed by some MPA representatives in Hampden Academy 6’2” guard Zach McLaughlin, Scarborough High School 6’7” forward Liam Garriepy, and Ellsworth High School 6’1” guard Chance Mercier. 

Stay tuned as we continue to release our 2024 rankings this week.